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For a long time the assumption was Bohemian but a couple of years ago I was told that an American company "Union Glass Company" so far their has been no further corroboration. There does not seem to be that many designs.

Christies, South Kensington, are selling a vase in their auction on 11 May, listed as Monart in Lot 6.

I have been in touch through the internet with a company in Italy who deal in antique Murano and modern Murano glass. They are convinced that this is Murano but the question for them was is it old or modern.

If 1935-40 the makers could be Barovier & Toso, or Fratelli Toso, or Seguso Vetri d'Arte and if a modern copy they could not be sure who would have made it.

I asked the dealers who sold it to me about it and it turns out that they had replaced the fitting on the lampbase as it was a bit shabby and taken off the chrome on the neck of the base to match the new brass fitting and rewired it to comply with todays standards.

It looks like it is 1935-40 as I can see a bit of chrome on the neck where they didn't want to go too close to the glass.

Aaarrgghhh, why do people do things like that! At least keep the original bits with the lamp. With a little effort and imagination it is possible to replace fittings with appropriate appearance items. I used to do this when I dealt in early electric lighting. It is usually possible to convert pre 1940 brass fittings to meet legal requirements.

I have had these lamp bases in the past and 1930's-50's is definitely the right period. Ditto with the wear on the vases.

Exactly anyway they still have the original chrome fitting so I have asked them to give it to me the next time we meet.

Shame though as you say why do people do these things! Lack of understanding of what collectors value I think, they just wanted to make it look better to sell it.

Not sure how I might go about having it restored to it's original condition but I can see if it 's possible when I get the fittings. Not knowing anything about electrical wiring I would really need to get someone in Scotland to do it for me.